Coast

Rarely do we recommend a spectator activity, what with GetGoingNC being about active, adventurous living and all. But today’s recommendation is spectating that could lead to sweating.

Saturday, it’s the annual running of the Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon. That’s a 2.4-mile swim (in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach), followed by a 112-mile bike ride out to the White Lake area and back, followed by a marathon. We’re not necessarily suggesting that watching an Ironman will make you want to do an Ironman, but it likely could inspire you to, initially, do a shorter tri (they come in in a variety of smaller sizes; to learn more, visit here).

And then, who knows?

Logistics: Beach2Battleship Ironman Distance Triathlon, Saturday, Oct. 22, 7:15 a.m. into the evening, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 65.

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Looking ahead: Surf-to-Sound Challenge, stand up paddleboard race, Nov. 4, Blockade Runner Resort, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

We love physical activity that doesn’t seem like physical activity. An activity, say, where you walk for two hours, then say, “Wow! I just walked for two hours!”

That would describe Saturday’s Ghost Walk of Davidson, a two-hour ramble through the town of Davidson, learning about the town’s history and ghostly past. It’s a family-oriented activity, a good way to jump-start the clan’s plans to be up and about.

Logistics: Ghost Walk of Davidson, Saturday, 7-9 p.m., Davidson. $10 for adults, $5 for the 7-12 set. More info by calling 704.896.7743.

Saturday evening forecast: High in the mid-50s, darkening.

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Looking ahead: Canoe Hike, Saturday, Oct. 29, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. More info here.

Mountains

A river runs through Stone Mountain State Park — actually, several do. Combined, they include 20 miles of designated trout waters, making the park a great place to fly fish. And, not coincidentally, a great place to learn to fly fish.

Sunday, check out Beginner Fly Fishing, a two-hour class led by Ranger Michael Wood that covers rules and regulations, stream sampling, knot tying, casting, and actual fishing instruction. It’s a great introduction to the sport, and it’s free, though pre-registration is required (the class is limited to 10, so don’t dawdle).

Logistics: Beginner Fly Fishing, Sunday, Oct. 23, 1-3 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. Free, but preregistration is required, by emailing Ranger Michael Wood at michael.wood@ncparks.gov.

Sunday forecast: Sunny skies, high of 63.

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Looking ahead: Senior Trek Hike to Laurel River Trail, Nov. 2,Oakley Recreation Center, Asheville. More info here. .

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

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Coast / Coastal Plain

It is perhaps the most rewarding type of paddling — and the easiest: paddling the tidal flats and meandering backwaters of the coast. The ill-defined wetlands along the sounds, the narrow tidal creeks enveloped in lush maritime woods that feed into the sounds. So much to see just a paddle-length away.

The only hitch: you need to know where to go, or go with someone who does.

That’s why we like Saturday’s Roosevelt Natural Area Paddle Trip at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The morning paddle is led by aquarium naturalists who know every twist and turn, and can help you make sense of this expansive ecosystem. Gear and guide provided

Vital Stats: Roosevelt Natural Area Paddle Trip, Saturday, July 23, 9-11 a.m., NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. $25, ages 12 and up. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 88, mostly sunny.

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Looking ahead: Soundside Hike, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. More info here.

Piedmont

The temperature is forecast in the upper 90s for this weekend, which leaves one to wonder: why take a chance and wait for excessive heat when you can hedge your bets with an evening paddle now. As in this evening.

Tonight, the temperature will dip into the 70s for the Night Paddle on Lake Brandt. Picture yourself, the sun setting, paddle in hand, gentle waves lapping your bow, a cool breeze washing over you, washing away the stress of the day … .

BYOB or rent one at the marina.

Vital Stats: Thursday, July 21, 8-10 p.m., Lake Brandt, Greensboro. $22 per tandem kayak, $15 per single kayak, $8 if you bring your own boat. More info here.

Saturday evening forecast: Highs in the upper 70s, mostly clear skies.

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Looking ahead: Meanwhile, on neighboring Lake Higgins, find night paddles on July 27, Aug. 10 and 24. More info here.

Mountains

You see standup paddleboard races at the coast, but not so much in the mountains. This weekend, however, you’ll see that very thing, when the Autism Society of North Carolina sponsors the inaugural Stand Up for Autism paddleboard race at Lake Julian in Arden.

A 3-mile race on the lake followed by live music, beer, food, and raffle prizes. Racing is in both the competitive and non-competitive categories.

Vital Stats: Saturday, July 23, 11:30 a.m. race start, Lake Julian, Arden. $25 online, $30/day of event. More info and to register, go here.

Saturday forecast: high of 94, mostly sunny.

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Looking ahead: Sunday, Oct. 2, Fall Colors Hike (hey, it’s never too early to plan ahead), Grandfather Mountain State Park. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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Coast: 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic

Head on down to Wrightsville Beach this weekend to participate in (or watch) the 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic! Lots of standup paddleboarders competing in different divisions: based on age, gender and height. Friday, there is a pig pickin’ and music fest, followed by the races on Saturday. Registration ends this Friday!

There are two races, a 3.5-mile recreational race, and a 7-mile elite race with cash prizes for winners! All racers must bring a USCG approved PFD in order to participate. Registration fees differ based on category.

Weather policy: there will be a weather call Saturday morning. Canceling will occur only if paddling conditions are unsafe.

Vital stats: 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic, Friday and Saturday, more information here or here. ColdStroke@coastalurge.com or head here.

Saturday forecast: High of 42, chance of rain. Might wear a wetsuit. Or a dry suit.

Looking ahead: Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon Madness; marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, 5K, 1-mile run, March 18-20. More info here.

Piedmont: Mount Rogers Hike

Weather permitting, this Saturday the Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club is hiking the Mount Rogers Trail to intersect with the Appalachian Trail, Northbound, in the popular Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in southwestern Virginia. Before signing on, the club advises that you be prepared for cold temperatures, high winds and possibly deep snow!

If you can’t make this hike, the club is one of the more active outdoors groups in the region. Check their website for a schedule of activities; individual membership fees are $20 per year, family memberships are $30 annually.

Vital stats: Saturday, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, visit the club’s website for meeting time and additional information.

Saturday forecast: Snow starting Thursday evening will begin to taper Saturday morning, with accumulations of 18 inches expected. High temp: 30.

Looking ahead: Nature’s Notebook Hike, Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Saturday, Feb. 6. More info here.

Mountains: Icycle Mountain Bike Event

“The most fun you’ll ever have on two wheels, rain, sleet, snow or sunshine,” promises the event’s sponsors. Fontana Village Resort hosts the Icycle Mountain Bike Event Saturday. Cross-country races begin at 11 a.m. and go late into the night. If you’re looking for a challenging winter mountain bike race, the IBM should do it.

Registration takes place in advance and race day; fees vary, see website.

Vital stats: Icycle Mountain Bike Event, Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. into the night, Fontana Village Resort, Fontana Dam. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Snow throughout the day, high of 32.

Looking ahead: Swannanoa Rim Hike #3: Cherokee Boundary, March 19, 4.5-mile hike nearly all off trail. More info here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

The post Weekend Plans: Ice? Snow? Bah! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

A variety of options await the weekend explorer in North Carolina this weekend. Take note of seasonal changes in a nature journaling class at Weymouth Woods, check out the overwintering bird population on Greensboro’s Lake Townsend, or take advantage of the recent cold snap and Ski North Carolina!

Coast

The natural world is ever-changing. While we may notice the more substantial changes from month to month, the more subtle shifts, from week to week, even day to day, often elude us.

Why?

Because we aren’t paying close attention. That’s part of the goal of the monthly Nature’s Notebook clinics at Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve in Southern Pines. Once a month, hikers head out into this 915-acre preserve known for its stand of regal longleaf pines (but home to more than 1,000 species of plant life), with nature notebooks in hand, to observe and “collect phenological data as part of citizen science and keep a scientific nature journal throughout the year.” The program lasts 90 minutes.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 9, 3 p.m., Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines. More info here, or call 910.692.2167.

Saturday forecast: High of 62, 70 percent chance of rain.

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Looking ahead: 8th Annual Cold Stroke Classic standup paddleboard competition, Blockade Runner at Wrightsville Beach, Jan. 22-23. More info here.

Piedmont

Come winter, North Carolina’s coast is generally regarded as a haven for snowbirds migrating from the north. We speak of the feathered-and-winged variety, who settle in by the tens of thousands at Pea Island, Lake Mattamuskeet, Alligator River and the other National Wildlife Refuges dotting our coast.

But not all of these seasonals go to the coast. Find out who comes inland at Sunday’s Waterfowl Birding Pontoon Tour on Greensboro’s Lake Townsend. Explore the lake for 90 minutes with a seasoned birder who explains who’s on the lake and why.

Can’t make Sunday’s session? There are five more tours scheduled through March 27.

Logistics: Sunday, Jan. 10, 3 p.m., Lake Townsend, Browns Summit. $7, reservations required as space is limited. More information here, or by calling 336.373.3741.

Sunday forecast: High of 58, mostly sunny.

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Looking ahead: Another seasonal birding opportunity: Winter Birds of the Piedmont, Saturday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m., Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Wake Forest. More info here.

Mountains

Finally, skiing!

The balmy weather that dominated the region for a long while has been chased by a mass of cold air that’s been perfect for snowmaking. As a result, all six of North Carolina’s ski areas will be open this weekend, with bases of up to 56 inches! And it’s not like only a slope or two are open; most had at least half of their mountain open midweek, meaning there’s a good chance they’ll be running full throttle come the weekend.

Get the latest snow reports from SkiSoutheast.com.

Logistics: Your best bet for up-to-date reports from North Carolina’s — and the Southeast’s — ski areas is through the aforementioned SkiSoutheast.com.

Weekend forecast: Warming, but the base will already be down.

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Looking ahead: Frostbite 5K, 10K, Feb. 21, Fletcher. More information here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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Coast

Ah, that first post-Labor Day weekend at the coast, when the crowds have thinned and it’s safe to go back in the water. For, say, a bit of competitive standup paddle boarding!

Sunday is the Second Annual Carolina Beach SUP Challenge benefiting Ocean Cure, a non-profit that provides free surf camps and lessons to medically-fragile at-risk youth and adults. The Challenge includes two races — 3 and 6 miles — on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Been paddling for a while and like a good challenge? Race organizers say this event is for you you. New to SUPing? Again, grab your board and paddle and come on down. Really new to the sport? There’s a 1-mile Family Fun Race in which pets are encouraged to participate. (Pets? We can see a dog digging the surf scene, but a cat? A ferret?)

Logistics: Sunday, Sept. 13, 8 a.m., Carolina Beach Yacht Basin and Marina, 216 Canal Dr., Carolina Beach. $25. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 85, chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

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Looking ahead: Curious about the coastal environment? On Sept. 25 join UNC Wilmington faculty from the departments of biology, marine biology, geology and geography for a Campus Nature Tour. More info here.

Piedmont

Fall means the return of hiking to the Piedmont, and our GetHiking! crew is rarin’ to go.

Saturday at 1 p.m., we’ll hike a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake, from the Upper Barton Creek boat ramp to NC 98 and back. We’ll hike 2.1 miles out, 2.1 miles back, through a rolling riparian woodland. At the turnaround is one of the biggest white oak trees around. For a preview, check out this description of the hike on the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail website.

Sunday at 1 p.m., we’ll head to northern Durham County to explore the 708-acre Horton Grove Nature Preserve. Here, the Triangle Land Conservancy has built eight miles of trail exploring bottomland forest, mature hardwood forest, deep ravines and Piedmont prairie. Our hike will cover about five miles.

Logistics: For more information on both hikes and to sign up, visit our GetHiking! Triangle Meetup site.

Weekend forecast: Saturday, high of 83 with a chance of thunderstorms; Sunday, high of 78 and mostly sunny.

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Looking ahead: Take a Child Outside Week commences the week of Sept. 21. Find a rundown of TACO happenings at your local state park, here.

Mountains

Again, the passage of Labor Day signals the start of the fall hiking season, to us, at least. The prospect of hiking in a light fleece only heightens our three Es (enthusiasm, excitement, expectations).

That could be the case Saturday when the Carolina Mountain Club hikes a 6.4-mile stretch of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in the high mountains just south of Mount Mitchell (at 6,684 feet the highest point along the East Coast, in case you’re new to the region). This stretch of trail runs through old-growth balsam and spruce forests, with several scenic overlooks along the way.

And that fleece? You’ll want to pack it (and a rain suit, just in case) after reading the forecast below.

Logistics: Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m. (meeting time to shuttle from the Folk Art Center at Milepost 382. For more on the route, go here.

Sunday forecast: High in the mid 60s, chance of rain.

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Looking ahead: Tsali Adventure Triathlon, Oct. 3, featuring 3-mile paddle, 5-mile run, and 12-mile bike. Individual $45, team $95. Details here.

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

The post This weekend: Labor Day is past, let the festivities of fall begin appeared first on GetGoing NC!.